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Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai 'arrested' Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai 'arrested'
(about 2 hours later)
Zimbabwe's main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been arrested in a raid on his headquarters, officials from his party have said. Zimbabwe's main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been arrested in a raid on his offices, his Movement for Democratic Change party said.
He was seized along with about 20 members of staff ahead of a news conference, the Movement for Democratic Change's Tendai Biti told the BBC. It said he was seized with 20 members of staff. Police said Mr Tsvangirai was not arrested, although 10 people were, on suspicion of petrol bomb attacks.
Mr Tsvangirai was also arrested earlier this month and beaten while in custody. Mr Tsvangirai was arrested earlier this month and beaten while in custody.
The latest arrest came as southern African leaders gathered in Tanzania for talks on Zimbabwe. The latest detentions came as President Robert Mugabe arrived in Tanzania for talks with southern African leaders.
President Robert Mugabe is expected to be at the meeting of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc). Leaders from a regional grouping - the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) - are meeting to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe.
The BBC's Peter Greste in Tanzania's capital, Dar es Salaam, says that in private the gathered leaders will give Mr Mugabe a frosty reception following the beating of opposition politicians in police custody this month.The BBC's Peter Greste in Tanzania's capital, Dar es Salaam, says that in private the gathered leaders will give Mr Mugabe a frosty reception following the beating of opposition politicians in police custody this month.
Riot police 'Police matter'
In the latest raid, the opposition headquarters in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, were cordoned off before officers went in to make the arrests.In the latest raid, the opposition headquarters in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, were cordoned off before officers went in to make the arrests.
"There's a wall of riot police so you can't actually see what's happening," Mr Biti said.
Mr Mugabe may get a frosty reception at the Tanzania meetingMr Mugabe may get a frosty reception at the Tanzania meeting
Mr Tsvangirai had been planning to hold a news conference about the arrest and assault of scores of opposition activists after police broke up a meeting earlier this month.Mr Tsvangirai had been planning to hold a news conference about the arrest and assault of scores of opposition activists after police broke up a meeting earlier this month.
Germany, which holds the European Union presidency, said it was "deeply concerned" at the latest arrests.Germany, which holds the European Union presidency, said it was "deeply concerned" at the latest arrests.
But Zimbabwe's Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme the arrests were a police matter.But Zimbabwe's Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme the arrests were a police matter.
"They are doing their job, we can't interfere," he said."They are doing their job, we can't interfere," he said.
Mr Ndlovu added: "You [the West] are too much concerned with your Tsvangirai because he is your puppet and you make him an international hero."Mr Ndlovu added: "You [the West] are too much concerned with your Tsvangirai because he is your puppet and you make him an international hero."
Mugabe is telling them, 'I've got the title deeds to Zimbabwe, you can go to hell' Tendai Biti,Movement for Democratic Change Mugabe's hold over Africa Media urges pressureMugabe is telling them, 'I've got the title deeds to Zimbabwe, you can go to hell' Tendai Biti,Movement for Democratic Change Mugabe's hold over Africa Media urges pressure
Zimbabwe's Herald newspaper reported on Wednesday that a suspected petrol bomber was arrested amid reports that ruling party offices and a police camp were bombed on Tuesday.Zimbabwe's Herald newspaper reported on Wednesday that a suspected petrol bomber was arrested amid reports that ruling party offices and a police camp were bombed on Tuesday.
Mr Biti denied speculation that MDC members were involved as "fiction". The MDC's Tendai Biti said speculation that its members were involved was "fiction".
The BBC's Peter Biles says observers believe Mr Mugabe wanted to use the arrests to show he was still in charge and could contain the opposition while he was attending the Tanzania summit.
In Dar es Salaam, Mr Mugabe is expected to blame tensions in his country on an opposition campaign of violence.In Dar es Salaam, Mr Mugabe is expected to blame tensions in his country on an opposition campaign of violence.
The government has consistently accused the MDC of using violence and attacking the police.The government has consistently accused the MDC of using violence and attacking the police.
Our correspondent in Tanzania, Peter Greste, says that Mr Mugabe built up strong regional support for standing up to former colonial masters but that is now waning amid the brutal suppression of opposition protests.Our correspondent in Tanzania, Peter Greste, says that Mr Mugabe built up strong regional support for standing up to former colonial masters but that is now waning amid the brutal suppression of opposition protests.
HAVE YOUR SAY The meeting between southern Africa's leaders is long overdue Patrick, Kampala, Uganda Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The meeting between southern Africa's leaders is long overdue Patrick, Kampala, Uganda Send us your comments
The leaders at the two-day summit, starting on Wednesday, are expected to tell Mr Mugabe, who has governed Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980, that he should stand down when his term in office ends next year.The leaders at the two-day summit, starting on Wednesday, are expected to tell Mr Mugabe, who has governed Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980, that he should stand down when his term in office ends next year.
Our correspondent says Mr Mugabe has so far seemed immune from verbal attacks from the West may not be so resistant to criticism from his own contemporaries.Our correspondent says Mr Mugabe has so far seemed immune from verbal attacks from the West may not be so resistant to criticism from his own contemporaries.
Mr Biti told the BBC that Mr Mugabe appeared defiant. "Mugabe is telling them, 'I've got the title deeds to Zimbabwe, you can go to hell'. He's saying, 'Stuff diplomacy'."Mr Biti told the BBC that Mr Mugabe appeared defiant. "Mugabe is telling them, 'I've got the title deeds to Zimbabwe, you can go to hell'. He's saying, 'Stuff diplomacy'."
But Mr Ndlovu said the summit should go ahead without Western interference.But Mr Ndlovu said the summit should go ahead without Western interference.
"The Western countries say, 'We are concerned - there is a crisis in Zimbabwe'. There is no crisis whatsoever in Zimbabwe," he said."The Western countries say, 'We are concerned - there is a crisis in Zimbabwe'. There is no crisis whatsoever in Zimbabwe," he said.
Zimbabweans are grappling with the world's highest inflation - 1,700% a year - while unemployment and poverty are widespread.Zimbabweans are grappling with the world's highest inflation - 1,700% a year - while unemployment and poverty are widespread.